Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund – a brief look at the career of arguably Counter-Strike’s #1 player ahead of IEM Oakland

The early years and 1.6

“Wooooow, this is so cool”, were the first words coming out of GeT_RiGhT’s mouth after his older brother introduced him to Counter-Strike for the first time at the tender age of nine. 18 years later, and a decade into his professional career, I’d wager GeT_RiGhT still reacts that very same way when he learns something new about the game he so genuinely loves.

Back then, the prospect of forming a team and competing against others online or at LAN cafés immediately drew GTR in. Like all greats in any sport, GeT_RiGhT is extremely competitive. The endless possibilities both tactically and mechanically is what hooked him until today.

GeT_RiGhT had his breakthrough at the Rendezvous LAN#24 in 2007, where he played in a mix team with THREAT, who you all of course know as NiP’s current coach. THREAT was so impressed with GTR’s gameplay that he invited him to join his team, Begrip Gaming.

GeT_RiGhT accepted, and it wasn’t long until he left his first mark in Counter-Strike. That same year, GTR and Begrip won the Swedish qualifier to ESWC 2007 after upsetting both favorites, SK Gaming and the Ninjas in Pyjamas.

Begrip’s success was short lived however. They played poorly at ESWC and shortly thereafter disbanded again.

GeT_RiGhT was only 17 at the time and, while already an ungodly aimer, he still had a lot to learn in the world of professional Counter-Strike. He had two unsuccessful, short-lived stints with NiP and SK as a result of immaturity and flawed in-game communication.

But one thing from his time with NiP stuck with GTR until today. RobbaN, a fellow Ninja, recognized a very particular set of skills in the young Swede. RobbaN said to GTR: “I want you to be the most hated player in the world.”

GeT_RiGhT embraced this quest put upon him and over a very long career acquired those skills. Skills that make him a nightmare to play against for every Counter-Strike player on the planet. The role that GTR helped define, that to this day carries his signature - the lurker.

Even I hated GeT_RiGhT and I wasn’t even a player. I was a hard-core mouz fanboy and it simply hurt to watch my favorite team get torn apart by the player who embodies the “Ninja” part of NiP like none other. Of course, my and everybody else's feelings were just admiration disguised as hate, but that’s difficult to admit when you’re fanboying...

For the rest of the year, GTR worked on eradicating his flaws before exploding onto the scene like Napoleon Dynamite in 2009 after joining Fnatic. Lead by Patrick “cArn” Sättermon, Fnatic had Harley “dsn” Örwall on the AWP and the most deadly trio in all of CS – GTR, f0rest and Rasmus “GuX” Ståhl on the rifles. In many ways, the Fnatic of old compares to today’s FaZe, just more skilled.

2009 saw Fnatic deliver one of the most dominant years in CS history, only rivalled by Na’Vi’s 2010 and surpassed, of course, by GTR’s Ninjas in Pyjamas of 2012-2014. In addition to the team’s success, the only 18-year-old GeT_RiGhT won the 2009 eSports Player of the year award.

In 2010, Fnatic broke apart and GeT_RiGhT once again joined SK Gaming. He brought f0rest along with him and the two teamed up with RobbaN, Johan “face” Klasson and Marcus “Delpan” Larsson. Under SK’s banner, GTR & Co. enjoyed two highly successful years, winning multiple major international titles before it was time to switch games in 2012, when CS:GO was released.

CS:GO - 87:0 – Today

We all know how that switchover worked out for GeT_RiGhT. Pretty, pretty good, as Larry David would say.

For the start of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, HeatoN revived the Ninjas in Pyjamas. He assembled three CS 1.6 and two CS: Source legends - GTR, f0rest, Xizt, friberg and Fifflaren. They were untouchable from the get-go and ruled over the CS:GO universe with a wrath of biblical proportions.

Thirteen consecutive LAN event victories without dropping a single map, the Ninja’s eighty-seven to zero run for the ages. Five major finals in a row, one major title at ESL One Cologne 2014, two years of NiP hegemony lead by far and away the world’s best player - GeT_RiGhT!

Major winner at last!

GTR did what no other player could. He dominated in 1.6 and CS:GO, which puts him in a class of his own and poses the question: is GeT_RiGhT the best Counter-Strike player of all time? Yes, yes he is!

NiP’s, and in extension GTR’s fall from power inevitably set in towards the end of 2014. The Ninjas won fewer and fewer tournaments as time went on, and when IEM Oakland Season XII kicks off next week, it will be exactly one year since GTR’s last tier-one trophy. The longest the Ninjas had to endure without an event victory.

Can the Ninjas upend that trend and start a long and gruelling climb back to the mountaintop in Oakland? Most will put it beyond them, myself included. The competition is too tough with all the world’s best teams in attendance.

But, regardless of the outcome, GeT_RiGhT and his pyjama-wearing companions have played themselves into the hearts of countless fans around the world. They have given us some of the most memorable, exciting and entertaining moments of Counter-Strike history.

And we, the Counter-Strike community, are blessed to have an ambassador like GeT_RiGhT for our game. In 2007, he took a huge risk halting his education to pursue a career in Esports without knowing if he could ever make a living from it. He went all in, and it payed off. Ten years later he’s still at it with the same unbridled passion. And we will always be with him!

Be part of IEM Oakland

The world’s best teams are coming to IEM Oakland to compete for a first place prize of $125,000 and to enter into the Intel Grand Slam race.

Nothing beats the unforgettable experience of watching the world’s best teams compete live in a legendary stadium. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity and join us at the Oracle Arena on November 18-19 - secure yourself a ticket today!

And don’t forget to follow IEM on both Twitter and Facebook for further tournament updates.